Megan

I should add, there are downsides. My dad does some work that is about kids, and he uses me as an example. I occassionally have people I've never met say things like, "Your dad was telling us the other day about that time you did (insert super embarassing thing that I did as a small child here)." or "Oh, you're the one that bed wetting story was about!" Thanks Dad.

Edited for my inability to use punctuation.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

I acknowledged in my post that this made you kind of an asshole, but I also don't know anybody either here or IRL who is actually doing this. I mean, these kinds of pleas would be reasonable if there was some evidence that there were a bunch of greedy grad cafe-ers sitting around giggling maniacally over their run on the CHYMPS and just waiting until April 15th for fun, but I just don't think that's what's happening. People who haven't turned down offers for the most part have a good reason, and posts pleading with them to do so more quickly when it is very unlikely to have any impact on your status in the first place just make people who are being completely reasonable feel like they are doing something wrong, and pressures them to make decisions in what may, for them, be an irresponsible way. So, my point isn't that you shouldn't turn down offers if you are SURE you aren't going to take them. You should. My point is all of these posts (and there have been a LOT of them lately) pressuring people into turning down their offers faster are unnecessary and, in some of the contexts where I have seen them, almost offensive (I.e. Congrats on your great offer, can you now call school X and reject them please because I am waiting to get in there).

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

I third this. Our administrator in undergrad RAN that department. Also a good thing to keep in mind when applying for jobs. Always, always always be nice to the secretary.

This is a good summary of many of the considerations I suspect people should take into account (and that I am considering myself). I also think you should be able to imagine a couple of different dissertation committees, so if one or two faculty members don't work out, you aren't out of luck.

An issue that I'll add (partly because it's one that's important to my decision) is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of diversity versus specialization. For instance, a department like Rochester is very specialized, and as a consequence it has a group of students and faculty that can discuss research on common terms (i.e. using math), and has research seminars, training, etc. that are directed towards those kinds of students (even with departments that aren't specialized in the same way, you may be weighing strength in your particular area versus strength in a broader subfield/political science in general). On the other hand, being exposed to a diversity of opinions, approaches, and interests can be really valuable (which can also make interdisciplinary opportunities important). See, for instance, this article:

http://www.nytimes.c...nce/08conv.html

You should also consider where you'll be left at a department if your interests change at all. If you're risk averse, even if you think your interests won't change, you should acknowledge that many people before you have thought the same thing but radically changed their interests during their Ph.D. I suspect that being in a Ph.D program will be a unique intellectual experience, and being exposed to a broad range of ideas may mean that the stuff that seemed most interesting as an undergrad may be trumped by new stuff you just discovered (or just became more familiar with). So that's another reason why it's worth considering the broad strength of a department outside your particular area of research.

So I know that lots of people are still waiting to hear back from programs, but there are also lots of people on this forum that have heard good news from more than one school. I thought I'd start this thread so that people can share ideas on how to choose the right program - I know I would appreciate any suggestions!

Here are the basic things I've been suggested to consider, ranked in no particular order:

1. Funding - compare the stipend, but also compare the local living costs. Compare the teaching commitment required. Is their health insurance? If so, what are the details? Is there summer funding available? Is there an option to get a 6th year of funding if needed? Are there any conditions on retaining your funding package other than teaching?

2. Location - will you lose your mind (and thus be unable to complete your dissertation) if you commit to living in the school's area for at least 5 years?

3. Departmental training - will you get the best training for what you want to study? What type of courses are available in your area of interest? What is the typical curriculum for students in your subfield? Will you have the opportunity to take courses outside the department (econ, statistics, psych, sociology, area studies, language) if you need to? On the flip side - does your program have excellent training in one area and no focus on others that you might want to incorporate?

4. Ranking - I don't mean USNWR. I mean prestige within your field. Obviously USNWR rankings reflect some of that, but it really doesn't matter if Program X produces the best comparativists if you want to study political theory. Even if you want to study CP, your program may not have produced a single scholar focusing on your region of interest in the past several years. Probably a bad sign for you. Tips on this: ranking matters much more when you're looking at a difference between one tier and the next (i.e. top 1-10 schools vs. top 10-20 schools). Even then it can be a bit tricky. For example, one fellow grad cafe-er has elected to go to a program that is lower in the overall rankings for its subfield than another he got into, mainly (as far as I understand) because his area of interest is somewhat narrow and the lower ranked school has better people in it. So for the purposes of this ranking, it would score higher.

5. Departmental culture - is there a lot of collaboration amongst faculty? Is there a lot of collaboration of students with faculty? Is the department fiercely competitive (are fellowships competitive)? Does everyone wear birkenstocks all day long, and if so, how do you feel about birkenstocks? How is the department viewed in the field (for example, U Chicago and UC Berkeley are very different places)? Are faculty available to students even if they're not their advisees? Are students who have advanced to candidacy still around, or do they hide? Do poli sci students only hang out with poli sci students, or do they mingle with lesser kinds (I jest!)?

6. Departmental size - how large would your cohort be? How many students does the program have currently? How many faculty members? How many advisees per advisor? How many advisees do the people you're interested in have? Do you want a large, small, or medium-sized program? Do current grad students feel like they get lost?

7. Existing students and cohort - do you think that the people who will end up in the cohort for that school will be people you want to spend 5 years working with? Probably best evaluated during the visiting weekend. Also, get on the email list for your school if it's up on RWBG's thread. As for current and former students - how long does it take on average to complete the dissertation? What kind of awards to students win? What kind of funding do students get for research projects?

8. Placement - make sure you get placement numbers from the schools you're looking at, even if they don't offer them to you. They have them, and you want to see them. Don't just evaluate placement based on the percentage of job market candidates for that year that accepted offers, however. Obviously that is pretty important, so you will want to know the number of candidates for each year of placement data. But look deeper: what kind of schools do candidates get offers at? RU/VH? R1? R2? SLAC? Do most candidates go straight into tenure-track positions, or do a lot get lectureships, do post-docs, etc.? How many of its own students has the department hired in the past 5 years? If you can get this kind of data, which subfields and advisors tend to produce the most desirable candidates? It's all very well and good if UCLA is sending off lots of comparativists to excellent schools, but that's not as useful a signal if you're planning to do American politics. If (heaven forfend!) you are interested in non-academic career paths (don't let anyone bash you for this, btw), check out how people do in that world. Some programs that have less than awesome academic placement do very well here (NYU is a great example). Does the department have a placement director/advisor? What kind of career mentoring do students receive? Has placement been getting better or worse (obviously take into consideration the economic environment)?

9. Your persons of interest - does the department have at least 3 people you could see yourself working with? Even if they don't all have EVERYTHING you would want in an advisor, they should be very strong in at least 1 major area of your interest. If you want to do some crazy complicated project pulling from a bunch of different areas in poli sci (like me), does the department have the resources for you to do that? Are advisors known to be possessive, or are they encouraging of students who need to use other professors' expertise as well? Of the people you're interested in working with, how old are they? Are they scaling back their advising activities? Do they still teach? Are they planning to leave the university? Don't be afraid to ask them, or to ask current students. If they're close to retirement, do they actually actively advise, or are they resting on their laurels? What have their former advisees gone on to do? What kind of connections do they have (read their CVs and check out connections to academic and non-academic organizations - journals, research institutes, think tanks, government agencies, NGOs)? Ask their current advisees if they are available, friendly, enthusiastic about advising, approachable, helpful, or rather eternally busy, extremely formal, cranky about having to work with graduate students at all, intimidating, and unwilling to act collaboratively rather than critically towards their students.

10. Departmental future - is the department on its way up, on its way down, or likely to remain where it is? This depends on a number of factors, and is a very subjective measure based on some combination of the above. You probably don't want to be in a top 15 program that is only still top 15 because rankings lag instead of a slightly lower ranked program that is rocketing upwards and everyone knows it.

11. Vibe - self-explanatory. Visit!

12. I ran out of ideas. Anyone else?

Edit: obviously this amount of information errs on the side of over-preparedness. Sometimes one or two of these factors will weigh much more than the others, which simplifies things.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

I acknowledged in my post that this made you kind of an asshole, but I also don't know anybody either here or IRL who is actually doing this. I mean, these kinds of pleas would be reasonable if there was some evidence that there were a bunch of greedy grad cafe-ers sitting around giggling maniacally over their run on the CHYMPS and just waiting until April 15th for fun, but I just don't think that's what's happening. People who haven't turned down offers for the most part have a good reason, and posts pleading with them to do so more quickly when it is very unlikely to have any impact on your status in the first place just make people who are being completely reasonable feel like they are doing something wrong, and pressures them to make decisions in what may, for them, be an irresponsible way. So, my point isn't that you shouldn't turn down offers if you are SURE you aren't going to take them. You should. My point is all of these posts (and there have been a LOT of them lately) pressuring people into turning down their offers faster are unnecessary and, in some of the contexts where I have seen them, almost offensive (I.e. Congrats on your great offer, can you now call school X and reject them please because I am waiting to get in there).

I have nothing substantive to add, but I will never say "up shit creek" ever again. This is so much better.

you should go something like this


Dear Princeton University,

Thank you for rejecting my application for the fall 2012 admission. While I assure you that your rejection letter was carefully reviewed by me, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me admission to your department.

This year, I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of programs rejecting me, it is impossible for me to accept all rejections.
My rejection decisions take into account not only the universities’ prestige, but also the suitability of the department’s program to my personal interest. Hence, despite your university's outstanding qualifications and previous experiences in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will join the ranks of graduate students in your department this fall. I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future applicants.

Sincerely,
Meep

Hey all. It's been a tough couple of months. A few grad cafe-ers were posting today about receiving 5 rejections today. That blows. For my part, I am really happy with the places that I have been accepted to but the grand majority of emails have started with the words "I regret to inform you...".

My response to all this negativity: silliness. I suggest that everyone who feels beat-down, down-and-out, out of their mind... etc. should take this opportunity to chose something in their life (really, it can be anything) and formally reject it. Try not to reject anything that will make other people feel worse (i.e. I am not going to "reject" any of the schools that have rejected me... this would be redundant... also, I am pretty excited for or jealous of the people who did not get rejected). Here is my example... feel free to chip in with your own rejection.

I reject wet socks.

Dear wet socks,
I regret to inform you that you will not be offered a place in my wardrobe this coming year. You lack the warmth and comfort that I associate with your peers (dry socks) and you make me miserable/uncomfortable. Yesterday I was forced to use the word "moist" to describe you. Please do not trouble me by applying again next year. I wish you no luck at infiltrating wardrobes in the future.
Regards,
meep

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

I acknowledged in my post that this made you kind of an asshole, but I also don't know anybody either here or IRL who is actually doing this. I mean, these kinds of pleas would be reasonable if there was some evidence that there were a bunch of greedy grad cafe-ers sitting around giggling maniacally over their run on the CHYMPS and just waiting until April 15th for fun, but I just don't think that's what's happening. People who haven't turned down offers for the most part have a good reason, and posts pleading with them to do so more quickly when it is very unlikely to have any impact on your status in the first place just make people who are being completely reasonable feel like they are doing something wrong, and pressures them to make decisions in what may, for them, be an irresponsible way. So, my point isn't that you shouldn't turn down offers if you are SURE you aren't going to take them. You should. My point is all of these posts (and there have been a LOT of them lately) pressuring people into turning down their offers faster are unnecessary and, in some of the contexts where I have seen them, almost offensive (I.e. Congrats on your great offer, can you now call school X and reject them please because I am waiting to get in there).

I acknowledged in my post that this made you kind of an asshole, but I also don't know anybody either here or IRL who is actually doing this. I mean, these kinds of pleas would be reasonable if there was some evidence that there were a bunch of greedy grad cafe-ers sitting around giggling maniacally over their run on the CHYMPS and just waiting until April 15th for fun, but I just don't think that's what's happening. People who haven't turned down offers for the most part have a good reason, and posts pleading with them to do so more quickly when it is very unlikely to have any impact on your status in the first place just make people who are being completely reasonable feel like they are doing something wrong, and pressures them to make decisions in what may, for them, be an irresponsible way. So, my point isn't that you shouldn't turn down offers if you are SURE you aren't going to take them. You should. My point is all of these posts (and there have been a LOT of them lately) pressuring people into turning down their offers faster are unnecessary and, in some of the contexts where I have seen them, almost offensive (I.e. Congrats on your great offer, can you now call school X and reject them please because I am waiting to get in there).

This is a sticky issue. Obviously nobody should feel pressured to give up options until they're ready. On the other end, the OP is correct insofar as we shouldn't hold onto schools just because we can.

I use a method that I call the jellybean test: You have 10 jellybeans to distribute amongst your offers, where more beans == higher preference. If a program doesn't get any jellybeans in the test, cut them loose. They're not in contention for your services. I've declined two offers this week, and will likely decline two more next week. I won't make a final decision about where to go until after visiting, but I know that I'm not (for example) going to Maryland under any circumstance, so I can (should?) decline that offer.

In the strictly normative sense, we've earned the acceptances we've gotten, and have the right to hold onto those offers until April 15. But if you find yourself holding onto an offer because it's fun being wooed, because it makes you feel special or just because you can, then I would argue it's time to decline an offer or two and (potentially) let others in.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.

However, if you want to withdraw from say....I dont know....Yale....and put a plug in for me, I can't say that I'd mind

OK, I have been holding back comment on all of these sorts of requests because I know what it feels like to feel nervous and terrified and desperate to get an offer, and I know it's worse when the whole world is crowing about how they can't decide between their five offers at every Ivy League department. I know because I was rejected everywhere last time around, and at many places this time around. I am sympathetic, I really am, but these sorts of requests and comments are really very frustrating.

People on this board aren't jerks, for the most part. If they are REALLY sure about their decision, they have already withdrawn their acceptances to other schools. Additionally, and more importantly, them withdrawing does not help you at all. Schools factor the percentage of kids who get better offers into their admissions process, so the fact that Y person is going to decline school X is factored in already to the process. It could POTENTIALLY speed up the process, if you are going to be on the wait list or something, but it shouldn't impact the outcome either way.

When people make these sorts of requests what you really do is make people feel guilty for going through the process in their own way. You also make the focus of other people's celebration and accomplishment about what that celebration and accomplishment can do for YOU, instead of about the fact that in this absolutely brutal vicious game, they have had a success that we should all be celebrating. Yeah, the waiting is hard. Yeah, it's scary not knowing what's going on next year, and everybody on this board is sympathetic to that kind of stress. Yeah, somebody who has ABSOLUTELY decided and is still holding on to their offers is being an asshole. I don't think that person exists on this board.

I still have GW outstanding. I may or may not get in. If I do I will, most likely, decline the offer to go to NYU. I will, however, not accept an offer from any school without visiting. Until I visit NYU and decide that I love it as much as I think I will, I'm going to stay on the wait list at UNC and I'm going to stay in the running for GW. Also, if I got great money at GW, and loved it when I visited, I might accept it. I think fit is the most crucial thing. I love UNC's program, so I could really see that happening too. That's my process. If somebody on this board isn't turning down their offers yet, it's because they haven't finally decided where they are going yet. These types of requests and posts do nothing except dampen the excitement of people who deserve to be excited.